Accessory mount for firearms

ABSTRACT

A mount is provided for removably rigidly mounting accessories to a firearm, such as a C9 machine gun, without having to modify the basic components of the firearm. The mount comprises first and second complementary parts adapted to be drawn one towards the other against the opposite sides of the firearm. The first and second complementary parts are provided with localization aids adapted to engage corresponding reference points on the firearms, thereby ensuring proper positioning of the mount on the body of the firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to firearms and, more particularly, tosystems for mounting various accessories to firearms.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is well known to mount various accessories, such as infrared andnight vision scopes, laser spotters and the like, to firearms. Suchaccessories are typically mounted to an accessory mount securable to thefirearms.

It is highly desirable that the accessory mount be rigidly mounted tothe firearm so as to withstand vibrations and repeated firing shockduring use. It is further desirable that the accessory mount be easilyand quickly securable to and removable from the firearm withoutrequiring any modification of the firearm, i.e. without need forproviding extra attachment points, such as holes or grooves in the bodyof the firearms.

It has also been found that there is a need for a new accessory mount,which is specifically designed to releasably secure various accessoriesto a C9 machine gun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a new firearmaccessory mount which fits existing firearm configurations.

It is also an aim of the present invention to provide an accessory mountwhich is sturdy and reliable.

It is still further aim of the present invention to provide an accessorymount for removably mounting accessories to a C9 type machine gun.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is providedan accessory mount for releasbly securing at least one accessory to afirearm, the mount comprising first and second opposed facing piecesadapted to be mounted on opposed sides of the firearm, said first andsecond opposed facing pieces being provided with localization aidsadapted to engage existing reference points on the firearm forappropriately positioning the first and second opposed facing pieces onthe firearm, a fastener for drawing said first and second opposed piecestowards one another against the opposed sides of the firearm once saidfirst and second arms have been appropriately positioned thereon, and atleast one rail mounted to one of said first and second opposed facingpieces for receiving an accessory to be mounted to the firearm.

In accordance with a further general aspect of the present invention,there is provided an accessory mount for mounting at least one accessoryto a firearm of the type having a body defining a hole extending in adirection transversal to a longitudinal axis of the firearm, and afirearm attachment point by which the firearm can be removably mountedto a firearm mount; the accessory mount comprising first and secondopposed facing pieces adapted to be positioned on opposed sides of thefirearm, each of said first and second opposed facing pieces beingprovided with first and second positioning members adapted to berespectively engaged with the hole and the firearm attachment point fromopposite sides of the body of the firearm, a fastener for securing thefirst and second opposed facing pieces together about the body of thefirearm, and at least one rail mounted to one of said first and secondopposed facing pieces for removable engagement with an accessory to bemounted to the firearm.

In accordance with a still further general aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided an accessory mount for mounting at leastone accessory to a C9 machine gun, comprising a body having localizationaids adapted to be engaged with corresponding existing reference pointsat the front end portion of the C9 machine gun, a securing member forreleasably mounting said body to the C9 machine gun, and a rail providedon said body for receiving an accessory to be mounted to the C9 machinegun.

In accordance with a still further general aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided an accessory for mounting at least oneaccessory to a firearm having a barrel, the accessory mount comprising abody having localization aids adapted to be engaged with correspondingexisting reference points on the firearm, a rail mounted to said bodyfor carrying the at least one accessory, said rail being substantiallyaligned in parallel with said barrel and at a same elevation withrespect thereto when said localization aids are engaged with theexisting reference points on the firearm.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will beapparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, referencewill now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way ofillustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory mount removably secured tothe housing of a C9 machine gun in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the accessory mount shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the accessory mount with one ofthe side rail supports replaced by a cap member;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an accessorymount removably secured to the housing of a C9 machine gun; and

FIG. 5 is perspective exploded view of the accessory mount shown in FIG.4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an accessory mount 10 which is specifically designed to bereleasably secured to the housing 12 of a C9 machine gun in order tomount accessories, such as infrared and night vision scopes, laserspotters and the like, thereon. Although the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is applied to a C9 machine gun, it is understood thatthe same principles could be used to mount accessories to other types offirearms.

As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 12 of the C9 machine gun is made of alight metal sheet material folded in an elongated U-shaped channel forlongitudinally receiving the barrel (not shown) of the machine gun. Aplurality of circular holes 14 is defined in the housing 12 for aircirculation to cool the barrel. A handguard (not shown) made of a heatresistant plastic is typically mounted to the housing 12 to protect thehands of the user from heat coming from the barrel. As shown in FIG. 2,a pair of lugs 16 depends from the front end of the housing 12. The lugs16 define a pair of transversally aligned bores 18. The bores 18 wereoriginally intended for mounting a shoulder strap (not shown) to the C9machine gun. As will be seen hereinafter, the present invention takesadvantage of this existing bores for mounting the accessory mount 10 tothe housing 12 of the C9 machine gun without having to modify the partsthereof.

The housing 12 is further provided with a point of attachment 20 at arelatively short distance rearwardly of the lugs 16 for allowing the C9machine gun to be removably mounted to a firearm support of the typeinstalled on motor vehicles for supporting rifles and the like in ashooting position while the vehicle is moving. The attachment point 20comprises a pair of cylindrical projections 22 extending laterallyoutwardly from opposed sides of the housing 12. The cylindricalprojections 22 define a pair of transversally aligned bores 24 adaptedto receive a transversally extending pivot pin (not shown) forming partof the vehicle mounted firearm support.

The preferred embodiment of the accessory mount 10 comprises left andright side pieces 26 a and 26 b adapted to be positioned on opposedsides of the housing 12. The left side piece 26 a is a mirror image ofthe right side piece 26 b. Each side piece 26 a and 26 b is providedwith a base portion 27 having first and second localization aids 28 and30 adapted to be respectively engaged with the cylindrical projection 22and the transversal bore 18. The first localization aid 28 is providedin the form of a circular hole 32 sized to tightly receive thecylindrical projection 22 extending from the side of the housing 12 onwhich the piece 26 a, 26 b is to be installed. The second localizationaid 30 is provided in the form of a cylindrical peg 34 extendingintegrally at right angles from the inner side of the piece 26 a, 26 b.The peg 34 is sized and configured to tightly fit into the transversalbore 18. Accordingly, the left and right side pieces 26 a and 26 b canbe readily and precisely positioned in a single predetermined positionon the housing 12 by engaging the first and second localization aids 28and 30 of the left and right side pieces 26 a and 26 b with thecorresponding existing reference points, namely the cylindricalprojections 22 and the transversal bore 18, from opposed sides of thehousing 12.

After the left and right side pieces 26 a and 26 b have been positionedon the opposed sides of the housing 12, the left and right side pieces26 a and 26 b are drawn towards one another against the housing 12 bytightening a pair of transversal screws 36 in two pairs of transversallyaligned holes 38 defined in the rectangular bridging portions 40extending integrally from the inner side of the left and right pieces 26a, 26 b between the first and second localization aids 28 and 30thereof. This permits to securely mount the left and right pieces 26 aand 26 b on the housing 12 without any possibility for the first andsecond localization aids 28 and 30 from sliding off the correspondingmounting structures on the housing 12. The bridging portions 40 areconfigured to extend underneath the housing 12 between the transversalbore 18 and the cylindrical projections 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, each piece 26 a, 26 b has a pair of arms 42extending upwardly from opposed ends of the base portion 27. The arms 42are curved laterally outwardly to provide sufficient play for laterallyaccommodating the handguard covering the housing 12 of the machine gun.The arms 42 of each piece 26 a, 26 b are integrally connected at theirupper ends by a longitudinally extending rail mounting member 44. Eachrail mounting member 44 is provided on the outer surface thereof with alongitudinally extending guide 46 adapted to be received in acomplementary longitudinally extending recess 48 defined in the rearsurface of a rail 50. This ensures a precise positioning of the rail 50on the rail mounting member 44. Screws 52 are provided to fixedly securethe rail 50 to the rail mounting member 44. Alternatively, the rails 50could be permanently provided on the side pieces 26 a and 26 b.

The rails for firearms accessories are well known in the firearms art.The rails 50 used in connection with the present invention are known asPicatinny rails and each comprises a series of longitudinallyspaced-apart ribs 54, such as specified in MIL-STD-1913. Such rails 50are generally used for securing various Weaver style accessories.

When only one accessory has to be side-mounted to the C9 machine gun,one of the side pieces 26 a and 26 b can take the form of a cap member56, as shown in FIG. 3. The cap member 56 is similar to the side pieces26 a and 26 b shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but without the arms 42, the railmounting member 44 and the side rail 50. It basically consists of thebase portion 27 of the side pieces 26 a and 26 b with the localizationaids 28 and 30 and the bridging portion 40.

The accessory mount can be sold has a kit comprising left and right sidepieces 26 a and 26 b and a pair of mirror image left and right capmembers 56. In this way, the end user can installed a pair of side railson the right and left sides of his/her firearm by using both side pieces26 a and 26 b or, alternatively, he/she can use one of the side pieces26 a and 26 b in combination with the corresponding opposed cap member56 in order to install a single rail on a desired side on the firearm.

The side pieces 26 a and 26 b and the cap members 56 are preferablymachined in a block of aluminum or magnesium. Alternatively, they couldbe molded by injection.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of an accessory mount 10′which is adapted to be installed in place of the original handguard ofthe C9 machine gun. The only modification that has to be done to the C9machine gun is to remove the original handguard to expose the sides ofthe housing 12.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is theair circulation holes 14 defined in the housing 12 which are used toprecisely localize the accessory mount 10′ on the C9 machine gun. Likethe accessory mount 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the accessory mount 10′comprises a pair of left and right side pieces 26 a′ and 26 b′ adaptedto be locked together against opposed sides of the front end portion ofthe machine gun. A set of three screws 36′ (FIG. 5) engaged intransversally aligned holes 38′ defined in the lower portion of the sidepieces 26 a′ and 26 b′ are used to draw the side pieces 26 a′ and 26 b′towards one another against the opposed sides of the housing 12. Dowelpins 37′ are also provided to ensure proper alignment of the side pieces26 a′ and 26 b′. A pair of localization pegs 34′ are provided on theinner surface of each side piece 26 a′,26 b′ for complementaryengagement with a pair of air circulation holes 14 in the sides of thehousing 12, thereby providing accurate positioning of the accessorymount 10′ on the housing 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the left side piece 26 a′ carries a bottom rail 56′for allowing an accessory to be mounted along the undersurface of thehousing 12. The bottom rail 56′ is preferably removably mounted to theleft side piece 26 a′ by means of screws 58′. When there is no accessoryon the bottom rail 56′, a handguard 60′ can be slid on the bottom rail56′ and removably secured thereon by means of a transversal pin 62′extending through a pair of transversally aligned holes 64′ between apair of ribs on the rail 56′. A stopper pin 66′ extends upwardly fromone end of the removable handguard 60′ for engagement with the rear endof the rail 56′ in order to stop the handguard on the rail to apredetermined securing position in which the transversally aligned holes64′ are accurately located in line between a pair of ribs on the bottomrail 56′.

The left and right side pieces 26 a′ and 26 b′ each carry along an upperend portion thereof a side rail 50′ for mounting accessories along thesides of the machine gun. The side rails 50′ are preferably removablymounted to the side pieces 26 a′ and 26 b′ by means of screws 52′. Eachside rail 50′ defines a channel 48′ for receiving a correspondinglongitudinally extending rail guide 46′ provided on the outer side ofthe left and right side pieces 26 a′ and 26 b′.

Air circulation holes 70′ are defined in the side pieces 26 a′ and 26b′. Finger indentations 72′ are also provided on the handguard 60′ andthe side pieces 26 a′ and 26 b′ to provide a better grip of the firearmwhen the accessory mount 10′ is installed thereon.

The above-described accessory mounts are thus advantageous in that theyprovide accurate and stable positioning of the accessories on thefirearm. Also the accessory mounts of the present invention can bequickly firmly secured to the firearms without modification to the basicparts thereof. A further advantage of the present invention resides inthe fact that the longitudinal central axes of the rails 50 and 50′ ofthe accessory mounts 10 and 10′ are substantially aligned (i.e., at thesame elevation) with the central axis of the band of the machine gunonce the mounts are mounted thereto. Other embodiments of the presentinvention, and variations of the embodiment described herein, may bedeveloped without departing from the essential characteristics thereof.

1. An accessory mount for releasably securing at least one accessory toa firearm, the mount comprising first and second opposed facing piecesadapted to be mounted on opposed sides of the firearm, said first andsecond opposed facing pieces being provided with localization aidsadapted to engage existing reference points on the firearm forappropriately positioning the first and second opposed facing pieces onthe firearm, a fastener for drawing said first and second opposed piecestowards one another against the opposed sides of the firearm once saidfirst and second arms have been appropriately positioned thereon, and atleast one rail mounted to one of said first and second opposed facingpieces for receiving an accessory to be mounted to the firearm.
 2. Anaccessory mount as defined in claim 1, wherein said localization aidscomprise first and second spaced-apart localization aids on each of saidfirst and second opposed facing pieces.
 3. An accessory mount as definedin claim 1, wherein said localization aids comprise at least onelocalization peg on each of said first and second opposed facing pieces.4. An accessory mount as defined in claim 3, wherein said localizationaids further comprise at least one female portion adapted to receive acorresponding male portion on the firearm.
 5. An accessory mount asdefined in claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises at least one screwextending through first and second transversally aligned holesrespectively defined in said first and second opposed facing pieces. 6.An accessory mount as defined in claim 1, wherein said first facingpiece has a firearm engaging portion on which said localization aidsthereof are provided and an upstanding rail support projecting from saidfirearm engaging portion, said at least one rail being provided at adistal end portion of said upstanding rail support.
 7. An accessorymount as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second opposedfacing pieces are selected from a group consisting of: left and rightside carrying rail members and left and right side cap members.
 8. Anaccessory mount as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one rail isremovably mounted to said first piece.
 9. An accessory mount as definedin claim 8, wherein said at least one rail and said first piece areprovided with complementary male and female mounting portions forensuring proper positioning of the rail on said first piece.
 10. Anaccessory mount as defined in claim 1, wherein one of said first andsecond opposed facing pieces has a side portion and a bottom portionwhich are respectively adapted to extend along a side of the firearm andunderneath thereto, wherein said at least one rail includes a bottomrail extending longitudinally along said bottom portion, and whereinsaid accessory mount further includes a handguard adapted to beremovably mounted to said bottom rail.
 11. An accessory mount as definedin claim 10, wherein said first and second opposed facing pieces areprovided with pegs adapted to be engaged in existing holes defined inthe firearm.
 12. An accessory mount for mounting at least one accessoryto a firearm of the type having a body defining a hole extending in adirection transversal to a longitudinal axis of the firearm, and afirearm attachment point by which the firearm can be removably mountedto a firearm mount; the accessory mount comprising first and secondopposed facing pieces adapted to be positioned on opposed sides of thefirearm, each of said first and second opposed facing pieces beingprovided with first and second positioning members adapted to berespectively engaged with the hole and the firearm attachment point fromopposite sides of the body of the firearm, a fastener for securing thefirst and second opposed facing pieces together about the body of thefirearm, and at least one rail mounted to one of said first and secondopposed facing pieces for removable engagement with an accessory to bemounted to the firearm.
 13. An accessory mount as defined in claim 12,wherein said first and second positioning members respectively include amale member and a female member.
 14. An accessory mount as defined inclaim 13, wherein said male member is provided in the form of a peg, andwherein said female member is provided in the form of a circularreceiving hole.
 15. An accessory mount as defined in claim 12, whereinsaid fastener includes a screw engaged in a pair of transversallyaligned holes defined in said first and second opposed facing pieces.16. An accessory mount for mounting at least one accessory to a C9machine gun, comprising a body having localization aids adapted to beengaged with corresponding existing reference points at the front endportion of the C9 machine gun, a securing member for releasably mountingsaid body to the C9 machine gun, and a rail provided on said body forreceiving an accessory to be mounted to the C9 machine gun.
 17. Anaccessory mount as defined in claim 16, wherein said body includes firstand second separate side pieces adapted to be drawn towards each otheragainst opposite sides of the C9 machine gun by means of said securingmember.
 18. An accessory mount as defined in claim 16, wherein saidlocalization aids include at least first and second longitudinallyspaced-apart positioning members, and wherein at least one of said firstand second longitudinally spaced-apart positioning members includes amale member adapted to be fitted in an existing hole defined in the C9machine gun.
 19. An accessory mount as defined in claim 17, wherein saidlocalization aids include longitudinally spaced-apart pegs extendinglaterally inwardly from each of said first and second separate sidepieces, said pegs being adapted to be engaged in existing air coolingholes defined in the sides of the C9 machine gun.
 20. An accessory mountas defined in claim 19, wherein one of said side pieces has a bottomportion carrying a bottom rail for allowing an accessory to be mountedto an under surface of the C9 machine gun, and wherein a handguard isadapted to be removably mounted to said bottom rail when no article areto be mounted thereto.
 21. An accessory for mounting at least oneaccessory to a firearm having a barrel, the accessory mount comprising abody having localization aids adapted to be engaged with correspondingexisting reference points on the firearm, a rail mounted to said bodyfor carrying the at least one accessory, said rail being substantiallyaligned in parallel with said barrel and at a same elevation withrespect thereto when said localization aids are engaged with theexisting reference points on the firearm.